Yes, all true. The risk of being sued is not very well correlated with the likelihood of losing the case.
Image wise, the retaining of a lawyer with a credible threat to sue is nearly a mandatory line of defense to defend reputation. Especially in the USA.
i wasn't talking about that so it is irrelevant to drag that in. I barely remember the facts there.
I will try to answer this as best I am able and Amir can correct anything I get wrong. Vendors and Manufacturers are always welcome to come and join the conversation and community. We go to great lengths to make them feel welcome and comfortable in our community. We can’t force them to come here and communicate with us directly. As far as facing a highly skilled and experienced Audio Science crowd. I know of no other community that can hold a candle to the level of expertise represented here by our Community members. This aspect alone might present a hurdle for some companies. Additionally it takes a significant commitment of time and labor to participate in our forums when viewed in a business perspective. Having a person who participates in the discussion has a cost. Both financially and emotionally.
Of course. One of them is in every review I write. It ends with inviting anyone including companies to comment, critique, etc. The other is the origin of the product which again, I disclose at the start of every review. I also write any conflict of interest I might have. While not explicit, I offer my test scripts to manufacturers when they question them and work with them to replicate (or not). I also post company responses to my reviews or link to them. And always invite them to fully make their case here. Using standardized tests helps a lot here where the same tests are run on competing products.
I can give you my information. I was contacted in May of this year to provide the explanation you see. Cameron had to also get independent verification from others. Making sure your response is accurate requires fair bit of work so I don't think it is out of line that we hear about it now.
As an engineer, I recognize you being a good engineer by stating what you are testing, the test equipment, the methodology, and the results of the test. It's completely repeatable.
Bad reviews do hurt box office
Well, let me put it this way... in my time at an audio brand, the thought of suing reviewers to defend my reputation never even occurred to me, because it's a losing game either way.
Oh hell Matt, it's only money, go for it.
You presume companies want to engage. I am testing a speaker. I sent the company my measurements weeks ago and they did not even bother to acknowledge it. Their published measurements are better than mine and hence me wanting to run it by them. Now I have lost a lot of time waiting on them and owner being without his (very expensive) speaker system.
Stereophile gets gear from companies and has direct contact with them to get such feedback. I do the same when companies send me products. But when an owner wants his gear tested, I don't go chasing companies as in almost every case they don't answer me. If we are not important enough to care about, then it shouldn't matter what we do or say. They can't have it both ways. Stereophile does not operate this way so the comparison is not valid.
Aaaaaaaa, exciting little tidbit there. Very expensive Speaker under testing is exciting. Is the brand name 3 letters or less? Any advance clues to wet the mental appetite?
Never accused ASR, I know it is been repeatedly openly stated manufacturers' statements are invited. Sorry if given the context it was perceived as a snide remark. I remain an enthusiastic ASR suporter... but I don't think all the semipro reviewers trying to find their niche abide by the same technical accuracy and expertise... that's all.
It is a specialized home theater speaker system so definitely not what you are thinking.
Neither are my bathroom habits. Why are you entitled to my private communications with others? Your interest should be in the objective review information you get.
Unneccessary escalation driven by the topic.
